The season is half over for the Poteau Pirates, and they have posted a record of 4-1. They will have a very difficult game against the Fort Gibson Tigers at 7:30 p.m. Friday night at Costner Stadium for homecoming.The Tigers are a team that can score points. The Pirates scored over 50 points against the Tigers last year and lost 59-56 in Fort Gibson. Fort Gibson has a feature back by the name of Jake Gandara, who will present problems to the Pirates. He is a great back, and he also is deadly on kick returns. The Pirates kicked the ball to him last one time last year, and he took it to the house. He also returned a kickoff last week against the Broken Bow Savages. The Tigers are getting a lot of love from the pollsters who have them rated as high as No. 7, and Coaches Aid has them rated right behind Tulsa Cascia Hall.— — —This will be an exciting week for Poteau football. Let’s start out by saying that tonight Vian’s freshmen and junior high teams will invade Costner Stadium for games beginning at 5 p.m. with the seventh-grade contest.Poteau’s freshmen will have perhaps their stiffest challenge in their football career to this point. The Poteau freshmen are still undefeated. Since the game night has shifted from Thursday night to Tuesday night, the Pirates could choose to be at full strength. Roger Barcheers could see playing time if the game dictated it. Jarod Sole and Dylan Fifield will get the carries if Poteau keeps Barcheers out of the game. If the offensive line for the Pirates can control the line of scrimmage, Austin Archey can have a field day running the option or passing the ball, but I have a hunch that we will see Barcheers in this game.The people of Poteau needs to go out and support all the Poteau teams this week because all the teams will be playing games that are very significant. It's time for the Pirate fans need to get a little bit rowdy.Here are some mid-season statistics for the Pirates. Barcheers has rushed for 556 yards on 90 carries, followed by quarterback Jace Pitchford (79 carries for 401 yards). Newcomer Jay Werner has caught 13 passes for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Pitchford has scored 36 of Poteau's points so far this season, followed by Barcheers with 30 points and freshman place-kicker Jesse Barnes with 14 points.The defensive duo of Carlos Aguilar and Kaydon Evans lead the Pirates in tackles with 53 apiece.